Bullion

1988 Canada 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf BU

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In 1988, Canada introduced a remarkable new standard to the world of precious metals with the debut of its premier silver bullion coin. Minted with an extraordinary purity level of 0.9999 fine silver, this five-dollar coin contains exactly one troy ounce of precious metal, backed by the rigorous standards of the Royal Canadian Mint. The face of the coin presents a classic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, a refined likeness created by artist Arnold Machin. This specific depiction of the monarch graced the obverse of the Silver Maple Leaf series for only its first two years of production, 1988 and 1989, making this inaugural issue particularly distinctive. Surrounding the portrait are inscriptions noting the year of issue and the face value of 5 dollars. On the opposite side, the coin showcases the national symbol of Canada, a single, highly detailed maple leaf. The reverse design also clearly displays the weight and purity, featuring bilingual text reading FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR alongside the 0.9999 designation. This elegant combination of artistry and extreme purity has made the series a staple of global coinage since its inception.